Athletes make splash in YMCA triathlon | PHOTO GALLERY

Participants compete indoors

Daniel R. Patmore / Courier & Press
Riding stationary bikes in the second leg of the YMCA Indoor Triathlon on Sunday morning at the Dunigan Family YMCA, from left, are Amy Lutzel, 37, of Evansville, Rebecca Korba, 36, of Evansville, and Brandon Hayes, 37, of Newburgh.

Gearing up for this year's running season, 29 area residents laced up their athletic shoes for the first-ever YMCA Indoor Triathlon on Sunday.

The threat of rain didn't drive the athletes away from an opportunity to get in shape and work toward personal goals.

Participants competed in swimming, biking and running events at the Dunigan Family YMCA.

Stan Gilham won the top trophy among men, and Colette Loehrlein walked away with the top trophy for women. All competitors received participation medals and competed for first, second and third place in the men's and women's divisions.

"It's to help people get geared up for the race season and attract newbies," said Tina Powers, YMCA special events coordinator.

<IF YOU GO>Men finalists

First place — Stan Gilham

Second place — Jason Gener

Third place — Jimmy Funkhouser

Women finalists

First place — Colette Loehrlein

Second place — Carrie Anderson

Third place — Amy Lutzel</IF YOU GO>

YMCA officials hope the event will bring larger participation in the future.

The event took place on staggered starting times. Athletes began in the pool, getting in as many laps as they could into 15 minutes.

They could then towel dry and were escorted to stationary bicycles set up in the lobby. Upon completing as much distance as they could fit into 15 minutes, athletes finished with a 15-minute race around the indoor track.

The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful as competitors talked and joked between events.

"It's a nice change of pace," said Michael Kearns, 62, of Evansville. He has been competing in races and athletic events since 1981.

During the biking portion of his race, he joked that race organizers should have had the bikers facing a big screen to simulate participating in the Tour de France.

"I like to support the local races," said Kearns.

Volunteers seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. While avoiding the inevitable splash in the pool area and tallying laps at the indoor track, volunteers remained energetic and enthusiastic as wave after wave of athletes passed through their events.

Nearing the close of the triathlon, Mary Cuprisin, a YMCA instructor volunteering at the event, pulled up her own bike to ride along and motivate participants.

She also offered advice on technique, urging bikers to flatten their feet instead of pointing their toes as they pedaled.

A medal ceremony followed the event. Powers said planning for the indoor triathlon began about nine months ago.

"We can't do it without our loyal and dedicated volunteers," Powers said.